126-130
Heading towards the solemn Golden Knights’ base to meet William.
To prevent any untoward incidents, I brought along 10,000 soldiers and Mary.
Even if they are the famous Golden Knights, they won’t cause any trouble unnecessarily.
Before I knew it, the carriage stopped.
“[Brother, we’ve arrived.]”
Feeling the tension in Mary’s voice, I opened the carriage door, helped Theodora gently down from the carriage, and held her as she came out.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
Saying so, I looked at the thousands of knights in golden armor on the opposite side.
They knelt down on one knee.
[We greet Your Majesty!]
As Theodora elegantly acknowledged their respect, her eyes reddened with emotion, quickly turning her head.
Seeing her unable to speak while facing the motionless Golden Knights, I felt compelled to step forward and speak.
“His Majesty acknowledges your hard work. So, rise.”
No response from the Golden Knights.
Ah… truly. Naive fellows.
Seeing them not following my words, I whispered to Theodora’s ear.
“They seem like they might cry. But they’re not listening to me?”
Trying to maintain her composure, Theodora responded to me.
“Everyone, rise!”
With a slightly trembling voice, she commanded them to stand…
-Clack!
Observing the disciplined Golden Knights adjusting their posture, I couldn’t help but feel their military aura was formidable.
Indeed… they look strong.
They must be. The Golden Knights are a group with ancient traditions and immense discipline.
“Ahem… Where is Sir William?”
As I inquired about William, a man in his fifties, wearing golden armor, walked towards us.
And then…
-Thud
“Forg… Forgive me… Execute the sinner! Your Majesty.”
As William knelt on the ground, Theodora’s body trembled slightly.
“Please rise…”
As William began to weep, he continued.
“I swore to protect the empire and Your Majesty, but failed to prevent the former Emperor from falling into the hands of wicked traitors. I made mistakes that led to chaos in the empire. I pledged to protect Your Majesty, yet I, the unfaithful servant William, couldn’t even be by Your Majesty’s side. I present myself as an example of incompetence, begging for correction and restoration of authority.”
“Sob… Th-There’s no need for that. At that time… you did… your best.”
Theodora’s tone shifted from regal to her usual one, lacking the majesty befitting an Emperor. Perhaps she feels guilt.
Does she really need to feel guilty? She must have wanted to address them as Romans…
Without my permission, they cannot enter as Romans.
It’s not Theodora’s fault.
And I have no intention of calling them to Rome.
“No. Your Majesty! I was not commanded to swear. Please kill me.”
I curse silently as I see William bow deeply.
No… Isn’t that important now? We need to stop Johannes!
But how long will you mourn like this?
It’s almost the first anniversary of the Emperor’s death.
“Ahem… Sir William. I understand your feelings well…”
“Shut up! You traitor!”
As I try to say something, William shouts that I’m a traitor.
“Who are you calling a traitor now?! This old man?! Do you want to die?”
“Sir… Sir William. He is not a traitor.”
Mary and Theodora step forward to defend William.
No… Let me speak. Why did I come all the way here?
I came here to make William follow my orders and execute important plans in the future.
But I feel frustrated not being able to say a word properly in this situation.
Really… I want to turn everything upside down.
But even if I do, it’s just giving Johannes an advantage, so I endure.
“Your Majesty! The Grand Duke is protecting the Emperor with his gun and eyes covered. You must kill him to protect the Empire’s future!”
As William speaks, a strong presence is felt from the Golden Knights.
“New sister, come here.”
Mary urgently comes out and blocks Theodora and me.
“Old man, what are you doing now? Want to try it once?”
“Oh?! You’re the daughter of Valoran?! I will surely divide you and that traitor in half to soothe the Emperor’s spirit!”
As I observe William and the Golden Knights, I quickly think in my head.
“Sir William, the Emperor, and… no, Mary and four others have something to discuss.”
As I say this and look at Theodora, she nods her head.
“That’s right. Sir William, please stop.”
Saying this, Theodora holds my arm.
“He is my beloved companion. Please do not insult him.”
As Theodora speaks with a blush on her face and bows her head…
“Yo… Your Majesty?!”
William’s mouth drops open as if he’s seen an unexpected scene.
He stiffens like a rock in no time.
***
Inside the royal carriage.
Theo, William, and Mary, who followed just in case, along with me, a total of four people, are gathered here.
It starts with me.
“Sir William. I clearly ordered you to help Duopol when Johannes attacks, but why did you head to Rome?”
“I do not listen to the words of traitors. I only follow the Emperor’s commands.”
I respond to the frustrated William’s words.
“I am a servant of His Majesty the Emperor, and above the Grand Duke is His Majesty the Emperor. It is a duty similar to that of a prime minister. This was passed in the Imperial Council and is a system publicly announced by His Majesty the Emperor.”
In response to my words…
“Hmph! So, you’re trying to threaten His Majesty the Emperor and collude with the Emperor’s faction to pass laws. Are we supposed to follow laws made by persecuting His Majesty the Emperor?”
Oh… it’s like talking to a wall.
“Mr. William, please don’t think of him that way. How hard he works for the Empire.”
Upon hearing this, William flares up.
“Your Majesty! This person…”
“He is my dear companion. Insulting him is no different from insulting me.”
The firm tone of Theodora and William’s stern expression clash.
“Then what about the letter sent to me… what does it mean?”
William’s words spark a question in my mind.
“A letter? What do you mean by that?”
In a low voice, William says in response to my words.
“One day, a court lady from the palace visited my camp. She brought a secret order from His Majesty the Emperor.”
-Gulp.
“Who is this court lady?”
When Theodora asks, William grimaces and hesitates before speaking.
“She said her name was Livia.”
Livia… Livia… I’ve never heard of her before?
I have never heard of her. It seems Theodora hasn’t either…
“It’s a name I’ve never heard before.”
“The letter she gave me.”
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As William hands me the letter from his pocket, I unfold it.
“This… It’s so similar to Theodora’s handwriting.”
“At first, I thought it might be a trick since the Emperor’s seal wasn’t stamped, but it perfectly matches the orders and handwriting you sent me before.”
I express my disbelief.
“Surely you didn’t lead the knights here just based on this letter without the Emperor’s seal?”
Even if William is naive, it’s hard to believe he would mobilize the knights just because of this one letter.
Could it be a knight who lived in the conspiracy-ridden palace for a long time?
At my words, William subtly turns his head.
“Rumors have it that you’ve made His Majesty the Emperor a puppet and abuse him every night…”
-Thud!
“Who? Who would say such absurd things?!”
William’s words were cut off.
Theodora, her face contorted, shouts.
“Do you know how well he treats my family?!”
With fiery eyes full of vigor, she looks intimidating.
I wonder if I’m the only one who thinks that…
“Your… Your Highness, Your Majesty. I… I just wanted to…”
“Speak! Tell me immediately who dares to utter such disrespectful nonsense! For insolence against the Emperor, there shall be severe…”
-Click!
I gently tap on Theodora’s shoulder as she gets angry.
“Stop. Do you think everyone in the world except you thinks the same way?”
Honestly, having such a notorious reputation isn’t all bad.
It makes others fear me to that extent.
Well, there are things I need to do after the war is over.
“You…”
But maybe she took my words differently, as I pat her head, seeing her eyes welling up sadly.
“First of all, there’s something more urgent. Sir William, do you admit your wrongdoing?”
He nods at my words.
“The crime of not properly respecting the Emperor’s command. Let it be a lesson through punishment.”
Looking at him admitting his mistake readily upon receiving my and Theodora’s letters, I continue.
“Then, right now! I hereby order the immediate disarming and dismissal of all Golden Knights under William, and a 10-year sentence in Roman prison.”
Everyone listening to my words freezes.
“Y-You?”
And William, with a stern face, nods.
“Your Highness, I appreciate the lenient punishment, but my soldiers have done nothing wrong…”
I shake my head at his words.
“Your crime is the act of moving troops without the Emperor’s seal. Don’t forget the serious offense that is.”
Upon my words, Jang-nae freezes even more coldly.
“So… you disagree?”
William bows his head in response to my words.
“I’ll comply with your decision.”
And thus, the situation is resolved.